I-81 Replacement

The 5th district councilor founded the "Community for the Grid" campaign, and has deep knowledge of the viaduct replacement project.

It’s official…all of the regulatory hurdles have now been cleared for construction to begin later this fall on the I-81 replacement project. State DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez made the announcement Tuesday.

The EIS approval triggers a final 30 day comment period, followed by the record of decision, or final authorization.

The New York Department of Transportation hopes to maximize student safety by relocating the roundabout in an updated version of the I-81 replacement plan.

Syracuse-area health, safety, and parent advocates want the state DOT to ensure those living and attending school near the I-81 viaduct are properly protected from lead dust exposure when the bridge is torn down. They gathered in front of Martin Luther King school Wednesday, which lies in the shadow of the highway.

The second to-last public hearing on replacing a segment of I-81 through Syracuse is tonight at CNS High. Officials say comments will help shape final project plans.

Labor shortages are hitting Syracuse like many other cities across the U.S. A new proposal from the mayor aims to better train people for open jobs.

A new type of proposal to replace the aging Interstate 81 old and crumbling viaduct has the name of Harriet Tubman attached to it. County Legislature candidate and funeral home director Charles Garland is pushing the idea for a high-tech, futuristic bridge to carry cars through Syracuse, not on local streets. The idea goes against the Community Grid option, favored by transportation and city officials.

The public hearing portion on the state DOT’s latest draft of the I-81 viaduct replacement plan is now complete after dozens weighed in at two virtual and two in-person hearings this week. But the outreach continues next week and into September with neighborhood meetings.

About 70 people turned out for Tuesday’s first virtual public hearing on the revised draft of the replacement for I-81 viaduct.